During the summer of 1970, at the request of the Dutch National Softball Association and the Italian Softball Federation, Dr. Diane Potter traveled to Holland and Italy to conduct clinics. In 1971, the Dutch officials invited Dr. Potter and her team to return to Holland. In 1974, Dr. Potter hosted the Dutch National Team in Springfield, conducting a training camp to help prepare them for the World Championship held at Raybestos Field in Stratford, Connecticut. During the 1982 trip, Dr. Potter became the first woman to receive the “Silver Medallion,” the highest honor awarded by the Dutch National Softball Association. Dr. Diane Potter was Springfield College’s first gymnastics and softball coach. She coached the softball team for twenty-one years (1965-1975, 1977-1985), compiling a 227-123 record that includes four undefeated seasons. In 1989, she became the second woman inducted into the Springfield College Athletics Hall of Fame, and during that academic year, she served as the Springfield Distinguished Professor of Humanics.

Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.